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Friday, December 8, 2017

The Nature of Time and Time Management

Time management is a skill that relates to the ability to use time wisely to achieve one's goals. We should first discuss what time is from a philosophical level. By understanding the nature of time we can better understand how to use our limited time wisely to get the most done that meets our specific goals. Time management is often seen only in the present without understanding of its context.

There are two major philosophies when it comes to time. Presentism and externalism. Presentism says that only present time as we experience it is important. Externalism believes that all points in time are very real but we only experience our current state in our immediate conscious but often think about past and future as potential points.

We know that our clock that we punch in on and leave work from is presentism. However, as we think about how our past actions led to present time and how the use of our time leads to different futures we are taking on a little more of an externalism view. Time is a building block that leads to new avenues, actions, and outcomes.

For example, if you want to go to school because you are thinking about the future you may find some time today to check out and enroll in a school. As you spend your present time you ultimately gain new knowledge and skills that help complete functions with more ease and leads to new career opportunities. Your actions exist within a context of past and future.

Here are some tips for using time wisely.

-Look at the big picture and determine if your are engaging in the activities that meet your goals.

-Are their activities you consider not doing or pass onto other people that would save you time to focus on your goals.

-Do you know what your goals are and how much time you spend on each?

-Are there things you can crunch time be doing together. For example, listening to an audio book while commuting?

-Do you know how much time you have to focus on your living and how much free time you have to enjoy?

-Are you converting as much time to useful activities that create new avenues and uses of time in the future?

-Is your current use of time in context of the past and lead to a better future (i.e. education or starting a business)?